How to integrate Exchange Online with Skype for Business Online, Lync Server 2013, or a Lync Server 2013 hybrid deployment

SUMMARY

This article discusses the configuration steps and requirements to integrate Exchange Online in Office 365 (with or without an on-premises Exchange Server 2013 deployment in hybrid mode) with Lync Server 2013, Skype for Business Online (formerly Lync Online) in Office 365, or a hybrid combination of both. The following user configurations are considered in this article:

A user mailbox on Exchange Online integrated with Skype for Business Online

A user mailbox on Exchange Online integrated with Skype for Business Online through a Lync Server 2013 hybrid deployment

Directory synchronization and single sign-on (SSO) are required as part of setting up a Lync hybrid deployment.

Through integration with Exchange Server 2013, you can provide the following features to your Lync users. However, some features depend on certain steps being taken and therefore will not work until all the steps are finished. This article highlights the features that will be available after that step is finished.

Connectivity with Exchange Web Services (EWS) provides the following functionality:

Outlook integration

Free/Busy

OOF messages

Conversation history

High resolution contact photos

Unified contact store

Outlook Web App instant messaging (IM) and presence.

Outlook Web App online meeting scheduling.

DEPLOYMENT

Configure the Domain Name System (DNS) records for Lync federation and Lync client discovery so that Microsoft Outlook Web App can determine where the user’s Lync server is located.

With Skype for Business Online only

DNS Records should all point to Skype for Business Online. For more information, go to the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article:

Add a hosting provider. Lync Server has to trust the connection attempt from the Exchange Online Access Edge. After this step is complete, IM and presence should begin to work in Exchange Server 2013 Outlook Web App.

With Lync Server 2013 only

Run the following cmdlet from Lync Management Shell. (Notice that the EnableSharedAddressSpace flag is set to False.)

With a Lync Server 2013 hybrid deployment

Run the same cmdlet that is given for Lync Server 2013 only, but set the EnableSharedAddressSpace flag to True. The EnableSharedAddressSpace flag indicates to Lync that the hosting provider can service users in a shared SIP address space.

Both Lync and Exchange must be added as Partner Applications. For more information about how to configure Partner Applications between Exchange Server 2013 and Lync Server 2013, go to the following TechNet website:

In a Lync Server 2013 or Lync hybrid deployment, make sure that the on-premises Lync Server trusts the Office 365 authentication service. After this last step is complete, the Outlook Web App in Exchange Server 2013 will display the Online Meeting link when scheduling a meeting in OWA.

With Lync Server 2013 or a Lync Server 2013 hybrid deployment

Trusting the Office 365 authentication service enables Lync Server to trust connection attempts from Exchange Online. For more information about this step, go to the following TechNet website:

MORE INFORMATION

The following table lists the supported features and configurations for Lync and Exchange integration. For more information about supported Lync hybrid scenarios, go to the following Microsoft TechNet website:

*Supported only for Skype for Business Online users in the hybrid deployment.

The following Microsoft Knowledge Base articles will help you troubleshoot specific features of Exchange and Lync integration. If you’re still having problems with any specific feature after you follow the steps in this article, see the appropriate articles in this section for more information.

Integration with Outlook and Exchange Web Services

2436962 "There was a problem connecting to Microsoft Office Outlook. The email address used in your default Outlook profile is different" error message when you sign in to Skype for Business Online

2787614 Conversation history, contact cards, Free/Busy, and Out of Office information are unavailable when Lync fails to connect to Exchange

2298541 You’re repeatedly prompted for Exchange credentials after you sign in to Lync

Exchange Unified Contact Store and the Lync contact list

2859882 The Skype for Business Online contact list is empty or isn't available for users who have Exchange Online mailboxes

2435699 Contacts in Skype for Business Online appear offline or aren't searchable in the address book

2811654 Lync contact list is empty or read-only after a user's Exchange mailbox is disconnected, unlicensed, or moved

2757458 Users are unable to modify their contact lists in Lync 2010 and Lync for Mac 2011